Runners to make deliveries during Olympics

What's the best way to make sure a package gets delivered during the London Olympics? One company says it's by using runners.

What’s the best way to make sure a package gets delivered during the London Olympics? One company says it’s by using runners.

According to an article on the Sports Illustrated website, German express delivery service DHL is worried about its couriers getting around London during the Olympics. As many as five million people are expected to descend on London between July 27 and Aug. 12, and stringent security could make delivering packages tough – so DHL has turned to runners to get the job done.

DHL will use a team of foot-based couriers from London-based JogPost. JogPost uses part-time runners to help deliver packages.

“During Olympic chaos and gridlock, we’ll still be able to get crucial documents to business,” JogPost co-founder JJ Harding told SI.

Harding also said his runners (who run at speeds that vary between three and eight miles per hour) have an edge over bicycle couriers.

“We’re able to do long-distance delivery much faster with public transport. Bikes can’t go on trains,” he told SI. The runners are mainly contract employees who won’t be expected to run more than 8K to 10K per day.

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